tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post3026107627658386908..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Just Send the QueryBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-79592671102864091902008-11-03T18:12:00.000-05:002008-11-03T18:12:00.000-05:00I'll often ask a single question but only if it ca...I'll often ask a single question but only if it categorically is not answered on the website. Recently I was invited to submit simply on the basis of having asked an intelligent question - that was interesting!<BR/><BR/>But, I did exactly what you described when I first submitted a short story. The magazine in question had a totally clear set of submission guidelines. I was so excited to have direct contact with the editor, I think I couldn't stand for it to end. Also, the story really wasn't a good match. I think I knew that and wanted permission to submit it anyway (it's so awesome that...)<BR/><BR/>In the end, he told me to just submit. I did and he rejected the story within 24 hours. :)<BR/><BR/>I think he did me a big favour by making it clear that I needed to just submit or go away.Sylviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05925593802209715440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-43515258734501176022008-10-21T16:38:00.000-04:002008-10-21T16:38:00.000-04:00In my opinion, your guidelines are an easily under...In my opinion, your guidelines are an easily understood <B>print</B> publication. Most people do not read websites; they scan them. You should check with your colleagues first. If you are all receiving multiple inquiries on the guidelines, you may have a problem. If you've done this and believe there is a problem, the simplest solution is to print your Guidelines as a pdf and replace the old page with that document. This encourages people to print out the page and actually (gasp!) read it in its entirety. Long term, you should rewrite the guidelines for the web. For further information on how most people actually read web pages (hint: they don't), see this <A HREF="http://www.useit.com/alertbox/percent-text-read.html" REL="nofollow">article</A> by Jakob Nielsen.Kristlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17703080836341910269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-3712539958539983042008-10-16T21:20:00.000-04:002008-10-16T21:20:00.000-04:00I know exactly where those questions come from. Mi...I know exactly where those questions come from. Mixed signals from agents. I don't remember which agent's blog it was, but I saw one where the agent insisted that a query meant letter, synopsis, and 3-4 pages of the manuscript. And insisted repeatedly. Even in the face of comments about agents specifying "query letter."<BR/><BR/>In the face of that, yes, I have to say most web sites are far too vague. If you know what you want, give specific instructions. Idiot proof it. Coz we're trying to read your minds and we're really bad at it.jo vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16481966684508129743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-7600348411901140572008-10-15T04:17:00.000-04:002008-10-15T04:17:00.000-04:00So, there are certain things writers must just "su...So, there are certain things writers must just "suck up" and now it appears that there are certain things agents must just "suck up" too.<BR/><BR/>And the world turns.<BR/><BR/>Just curious as to why you hang around these agent blogs when you have such an obvious hatred.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-40713055394412164722008-10-14T21:13:00.000-04:002008-10-14T21:13:00.000-04:00Rejection queen: I'm curious too about why you don...Rejection queen: I'm curious too about why you don't like the ones who just take email. I much prefer email for communicating. For me personally, I've put off the ones who only take snail mail because it takes longer and I have to go to the post office. I have a 3 year old at home so no spare time. And it also costs more. It's just interesting the differences in what people prefer. <BR/><BR/>Jennifer: I freak out at the partial stage too! I obsess over every detail, the cover page, my reply, etc. Finally I say to myself, just send the dang thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-54479062443395612152008-10-14T20:59:00.000-04:002008-10-14T20:59:00.000-04:00This is another place where other authors, crit gr...This is another place where other authors, crit groups, writer's forums and agency blogs can be imperative.<BR/>Frankly, I panic at the "Send me a partial stage". I read the guidelines and start reading between the lines and question EVERYTHING.<BR/>Thank God for Romance Divas and other authors who have been through the submission process. They have time to walk me through it.<BR/>It's so easy to get confused when nerves work on me. For me, it's so helpful to have others who have been there done that.<BR/>It also saved you some annoying emails. LOL.Jennifer McKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03613714863799177911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-40991756374636488852008-10-14T18:15:00.000-04:002008-10-14T18:15:00.000-04:00Writers, especially those new to submitting, are t...Writers, especially those new to submitting, are terrified of rejection. That's my take on all the hand wringing about queries. It's especially bad when the writer is submitting their first novel ever and thinks of it as sending their child into the world.<BR/><BR/>Send the query. Write another book. Stop obsessing.Elissa Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727748060605823895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-65378997297922068002008-10-14T15:20:00.000-04:002008-10-14T15:20:00.000-04:00I think we've all had moments of this kind of frus...I think we've all had moments of this kind of frustation in our lives. <BR/>Hang in there! <BR/>I think sometimes its that little bit of fear we have of agents and our desire to please. I think that Nathan guy has something like "When in doubt-query me." on his website. But I'm sure he still gets the email round robin too.Aimlesswriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03012050763172251381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-7329318103329922502008-10-14T14:30:00.000-04:002008-10-14T14:30:00.000-04:00Rejection Queen, why wouldn't you query an agency ...Rejection Queen, why wouldn't you query an agency that only takes email subs? Just curious....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-57929814918753191072008-10-14T11:49:00.000-04:002008-10-14T11:49:00.000-04:00I don't even bother sending a query if it's done b...I don't even bother sending a query if it's done by email only.The Rejection Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288683065588449736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-85894622438823434922008-10-14T11:15:00.000-04:002008-10-14T11:15:00.000-04:00From what I've read here and other agent blogs, it...From what I've read here and other agent blogs, it seems that the worst consequence of sending a query is that I'll get rejected.<BR/><BR/>No black-listing, no contract assassins, no horrible public embarrassment, not even a scathing "for the good of the species, please never write again."<BR/><BR/>There is some comfort in that.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I can see personal e-mail contact with a handful of recursive questions may draw just enough irritation to cause one of the above responses.<BR/><BR/>As for the, "I don't want to waste your time," belief: I think answering e-mails like the ones mentioned would waste time. Reading a query, however, is part of the job (although an unpaid part).Ulysseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11702993322170403647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-63382953167325648892008-10-14T11:04:00.000-04:002008-10-14T11:04:00.000-04:00I can see the author trying to extend a courtesy t...I can see the author trying to extend a courtesy to you -- "I don't want to waste your time if this isn't what you rep" -- and it just is not being received in that light. Simple misunderstanding of intent, and nothing more.Susan Helene Gottfriedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12778191943289129869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-18634039383615870352008-10-14T11:03:00.000-04:002008-10-14T11:03:00.000-04:00I agree with those who say it's probably a beginne...I agree with those who say it's probably a beginner's mistake. Because sending a string of emails like this strikes me as an unprofessional thing to do--an understandable thing to do, but something that marks the person as a beginner. I did it once or twice when I was first getting serious about writing. I'd be willing to bet that in a few years, some of these people will look back on those emails, smack themselves in the head, and say, "What was I thinking?!" That's what I did, anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-86874385224246462512008-10-14T10:22:00.000-04:002008-10-14T10:22:00.000-04:00Truthfully, I can't believe you took the time to r...Truthfully, I can't believe you took the time to respond at all. <BR/><BR/>BUT, you have to know that sometimes it's not that the writer is clueless it's that they are slammed with so much conflicting info that it turns ordinarily clear-thinking people into absolute messes. <BR/><BR/>Also, I think this is directly related to a previous post -- which I think was titled Just Say Yes (?) the theme of which was to take a chance and "just say yes" to sending a query that might not be something the agent represents, and how agents also, Just Say Yes to things outside the box they represent and everything can be all rosy. <BR/><BR/>This emailer sounds very new to the process, and as time goes on -- by lack of response at all from other agencies -- he/she will learn to send rather than question. Most agencies don't even respond with an email for a reject now -- it's no response means "no." So you were nice to respond at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62308768414775498122008-10-14T10:15:00.000-04:002008-10-14T10:15:00.000-04:00Asking before sending a query is a little like hop...Asking before sending a query is a little like hoping to wish for a book deal or trying to be an aspiring author. :)H. L. Dyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11054946734073372817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10961531887269938852008-10-14T09:55:00.000-04:002008-10-14T09:55:00.000-04:00I kind of took it as someone trying to artificiall...I kind of took it as someone trying to artificially build a relationship or grow a rapport so the agent's interest is piqued. Probably didn't realize that they're being annoying instead. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-34808250483335781782008-10-14T09:49:00.000-04:002008-10-14T09:49:00.000-04:00Maybe I'm being overly harsh here, but my thought ...Maybe I'm being overly harsh here, but my thought is that a writer that clueless isn't worth dealing with. Too tentative, too namby-pamby. Writing isn't for the timid or the weak of heart and mind. If they can't figure out guidelines, their writing likely isn't going to cut it, either. As a friend used to say: 'Didn't take her on to raise.'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78297920272939145982008-10-14T09:40:00.000-04:002008-10-14T09:40:00.000-04:00At the risk of sabotaging myself - I must confess ...At the risk of sabotaging myself - I must confess that I too was slightly confused by the website. I sent my submission as attachments - then thought - maybe I should'nt have sent attachments - but the site didn't actually say no attachments. And I haven't heard back from you - which makes me wonder if you open attachments - lol - so, I understand the fear of not sending the right thing - but unlike this author I just threw the dice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-75758720423065117132008-10-14T09:38:00.000-04:002008-10-14T09:38:00.000-04:00So, there are certain things writers must just "su...So, there are certain things writers must just "suck up" and now it appears that there are certain things agents must just "suck up" too.<BR/><BR/>And the world turns.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14686416097058811642008-10-14T09:27:00.000-04:002008-10-14T09:27:00.000-04:00Nice post and a nice practice for your agency to f...Nice post and a nice practice for your agency to follow.<BR/><BR/>The whole "do represent my genre?" thing would be easier for authors to figure out if they stop thinking in terms of individual pigeonholes and start thinking in terms of sets, subsets, and supersets -- or maybe more easily, simple outlines. So, like:<BR/><BR/>I. Fiction<BR/>... A. Romance<BR/>...... 1. S/F romance<BR/>...... 2. Western romance<BR/>... B. Western<BR/>...... 1. Western with S/F elements<BR/>...... 2. Western romance<BR/><BR/>This way, if an agent says they represent romance, by checking off the "S/F romance" box the author's story is automatically included in the superset category, too -- and hence there's no need to ask for clarification.<BR/><BR/>OTOH, if the agent claims to represent S/F westerns specifically, and the author's book has no western elements, it really doesn't make sense even to wonder. The specificity of the subset automatically excludes other subsets which might share SOME characteristics but not all.<BR/><BR/>Still, as anonymous @8:16 says, you're going to get questions regardless of what makes sense. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-90936576056450931532008-10-14T09:06:00.000-04:002008-10-14T09:06:00.000-04:00Ooh, please understand it's not you or the website...Ooh, please understand it's not you or the website. It's the treatment aspiring authors get everywhere else. Those who try to play by the rules are sometimes overwhelmed with advice, much of it conflicting. You might try rewriting your Submission Guidelines to make it clear what you absolutely do NOT want and then add something like 'any flavor of the following is worth sending an eQuery to us about.'Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62128625314517901592008-10-14T09:03:00.000-04:002008-10-14T09:03:00.000-04:00As shocking as it sounds, the way agents respond t...As shocking as it sounds, the way agents respond to these things can be annoying to writers, too. Go figure.Mark Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410424046477699059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-82759587127200494602008-10-14T08:51:00.000-04:002008-10-14T08:51:00.000-04:00When I first started the query process, I spent lo...When I first started the query process, I spent lots of time worrying over querying, especially with an agent who was borderline with my genre. But then as I got more experience with it, rejections and requests, I have relaxed. What's the worst that could happen? I get another rejection. Also, I've realized how invaluable it is to read the archives of a particular agent's blog. You can learn a lot about how flexible they are and what they absolutely don't want. Sounds like the emailers are at the beginning of the journey and are nervous. I've had the urge to email with a question about this or that, but never have :) I just went with my gut feeling. I read a few blogs before I started querying and definitely saw that agents have a lot on their plate and don't appreciate unnecessary emails on top of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-64421994434475535532008-10-14T08:40:00.000-04:002008-10-14T08:40:00.000-04:00I've sent some 'clarifying' e-mails as a writer.Th...I've sent some 'clarifying' e-mails as a writer.<BR/><BR/>Then this summer I had to take submissions as an anthology editor, and e-mail questions came every day, including a few serial e-mailers who just wouldn't leave me alone. All the answers were right there in the submission guidelines, the only place where that e-mail address had been posted.<BR/><BR/>Each e-mail was no big deal, but COLLECTIVELY, they were unbelievably time-consuming and frustrating.<BR/><BR/>I'll always think twice before sending e-mail now!Susan at Stony Riverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10385202649291774852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-39080359360679918062008-10-14T08:36:00.000-04:002008-10-14T08:36:00.000-04:00When I submitted to BookEnds it was very clear to ...When I submitted to BookEnds it was very clear to me of what was covered and not covered by your agencies. Sometimes however many companies will list genres but in my experiance some say "chick lit" and I get a letter back saying "we don't take these books sorry."<BR/><BR/>But it sounds to me they wanted to make buddy buddy to try to get around the rejection.Jersey Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18159479944031178356noreply@blogger.com